Caleb Kilburn

Head Distiller, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.

Caleb Kilburn

Head Distiller, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.

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Born to Ira & Ambie Kilburn in 1991, Caleb was raised in Salt Lick, a rural eastern Kentucky town, on his family’s dairy farm. These yrs. taught him the meaning of hard work & endowed him with an impressive array of mechanical skills which would prove invaluable later in life when he was called on to help build KY. Peerless Distilling Co. After graduating Valedictorian of his high school class in Bath Co., he attended Morehead St. Univ. where he pursued his love for the sciences. It was during this time that Kilburn became fascinated with the art of distillation. He claimed it to be the perfect balance of chemistry, biology, & physics. His fascination led him to obsessively research the process & science of distillation. His research went beyond traditional means, as he attended many of the distillery tours in the area, requesting opportunities to shadow at several of them. In 2013, between his college sophomore & Jr. years, Kilburn paid his way through a Distiller’s course offered by the Distilled Spirits Epicenter, in Louisville, KY. It was during this course that Caleb befriended 2 of the instructors who would later become his mentors. Rob Sherman, Pres. of Vendome Copper & Brass Work in Louisville, KY, & Pete Kamer, the retired Hd. Engineer of Barton Brands in Bardstown, KY. EACH provided Caleb with educational opportunities & advice over the course of the next yr. In the summer of 2014, each mentor recommended Caleb work with the startup KY. Peerless Distilling Co. Originally assigned to general construction tasks, Kilburn quickly proved his valor by persistently taking on more & more responsibilities. Thanks to his upbringing & research, he was more than capable of managing the installation of the mechanical systems & distilling equip. By the end of summer, Carson & Corky Taylor, the family ownership of KY. Peerless, formally offered Caleb the position of Head Distiller. Caleb balanced the latter portions of the construction with his last semester of college, during which he developed the computer control system that was integral to Peerless’ creation of an exceptional whiskey. He graduated on a Sat. Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Chemistry, & then started full time at KY. Peerless the following Monday. After several months of preparation, on March 4th, 2015, Kilburn distilled Peerless’ 1st barrel of whiskey in 98 years, that is too cool! In the Fall of 2017, his dream continued as Peerless’ KY. Straight Rye earned industry-wide respect when it was named the #15 whiskey in the world by the Whiskey Advocate. Despite his uncanny intellect & meteoric rise in the craft spirits’ world, Caleb remains modest regarding his accomplishments. He doesn’t consider himself a Master Distiller & is quick to correct anyone who mistakenly calls him 1. He states he holds that revered title for his idols & heroes. Humility aside, as 1 of the youngest distillers in the history of the industry, Caleb has produced some handcrafted whiskey that rivals the finest in the world.

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